Archive · 5 Oct 2026
Justice Bhuyan Says Mass Disenfranchisement Negates Constitutional Order
Justice Ujjal Bhuyan said it would be unfair and against the Constitution if a process stopped millions of Indian citizens from voting.
He said citizens should not be divided into one group that can vote and another that cannot.
He pointed to constitutional rules about equality and adult voting.
He said voting is an important part of being a citizen and helps make elections fair.
He also said a person already on the voter list should get notice and a chance to be heard before their name is removed, unless they have died.
Bhuyan made these comments at a law school event in Hyderabad.
His remarks came during debate over a nationwide review of voter lists.
Some political leaders praised his comments and criticized the Chief Election Commissioner.
Supreme Court Justice Ujjal Bhuyan said a process disenfranchising millions of Indian citizens would be intrinsically arbitrary and violate the Constitution.
He said such a process would undermine Articles 14 and 326 and that no amount of “whataboutery” could justify it.
Bhuyan described voting and inclusion on electoral rolls as closely tied to citizenship and the foundation of free and fair elections.
He said an enrolled voter’s name should not be removed without notice and a hearing, except in the case of a deceased voter.
His remarks came amid controversy over the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls; reports also noted petitions concerning the exercise and political criticism of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
- Who
- Supreme Court Justice Ujjal Bhuyan; Congress leader Jairam Ramesh and TMC MP Mahua Moitra also reacted.
- What
- Bhuyan said mass disenfranchisement would be arbitrary and unconstitutional, and that names on voter rolls should not be deleted without notice and a hearing, except for deceased voters.
- When
- Sunday, October 4; the articles do not specify the year.
- Where
- NALSAR University of Law in Hyderabad, India.
- Why
- Bhuyan addressed voting rights and universal adult suffrage amid controversy and petitions concerning revision of electoral rolls.
- Speaker
- Supreme Court Justice Ujjal Bhuyan
- Event
- Valedictory address at the 19th Justice Bodh Raj Sawhney Memorial Moot Court Competition
- Location
- NALSAR University of Law, Hyderabad
- Constitutional provisions cited
- Articles 14, 325 and 326
- Voter-list deletions
- Bhuyan said an enrolled voter's name should not be deleted without notice and a hearing, except in the case of a deceased voter.
- Related issue
- Controversy over the nationwide Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls
- Political reaction
- Jairam Ramesh and Mahua Moitra praised Bhuyan's remarks; reports described Ramesh as criticizing Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Sources
‘No court can condone mass disenfranchisement’: SC's Justice Ujjal Bhuyan on right to vote
No whataboutery can justify voter disenfranchisement: SC judge
Any process which ”disenfranchises” millions of Indians ”intrinsically arbitrary”, says SC judge Ujjal Bhuyan
‘No amount of whataboutery can...’: Justice Ujjal Bhuyan on denying voting rights amid SIR row
'Strikes At Very Heart Of Constitution': SC Judge Ujjal Bhuyan On Mass Disenfranchisement | Video
SC Judge Ujjal Bhuyan’s Strong Remarks On Poll Panel; Says 'Disenfranchising Millions...' | Newshour
Justice Bhuyan: Disenfranchising Millions Negates Constitutional Order
Disenfranchising millions arbitrary, no whataboutery can justify it: SC judge